Hot Topics about Headaches

Do you take acetaminophen? How much acetaminophen do you consume—do you know? Because many people overuse this medication, the FDA is looking at restricting it in over-the-counter medications, and removing it from prescription analgesics such as Vicodin and Percocet.                                                                              (posted July 2)

Comparative Effectiveness Research

1.1 billion dollars of the ARRA funds have been allocated for Comparative Effectiveness Research, and Congress has asked the Institute of Medicine to recommend a list of 100 priority topics for this research. Although migraine is in the 4th quartile, we at least made the list–and this is real progress! Take the time to send an e-mail to thank your Senators and Representatives; help to raise migraine awareness further. (posted July 1)

Another medication has received FDA approval for the treatment of migraine. Before you get too excited, this is not a new medication; it is an existing medication, diclofenac. However, it was not specifically approved for the treatment of migraine before, although it was frequently used. This new migraine version of diclofenac has potassium bicarbonate in it, rather than sodium. For more information about on-label vs off-label medications, go here. (Details of label, for the truly obsessive: Cambia at FDA.gov )

June 7-13 is National Headache Week.  Be sure to visit the National Headache Foundation website, which is featuring Health Talk Webinars and their new Headache U in addition to its usual headache content to focus on this week.

Are you an artist with migraine? Do you rely on color in your everyday work? Check out this interesting blogpost about how migraines can affect color perception.

American Academy of Neurology features Headache on the Hill advocates.

Headache on the Hill a success.
Thirty-five headache specialists, researchers, and headache bloggers met to ask Congress for additional NIH funding for headache and migraine research.                                  

Swedish gets $2.9M grant to study pregnancy, migraine links
Puget Sound Business Journal

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